Falling Fast and Breathing Hard

It's Christmas. My first Christmas of many Christmases with him and technically, the first with Kalea.

"Merry Christmas." he said, kissing my cheek and my stomach.

"Merry Christmas." I said, kissing him.

"How are you feeling this morning?"

"Good. Really good. You know what?"

"What?"

"I love that this our first of many Christmases together."

He smiled.

"I love that, too."

I leaned into him and smiled.

"Good morning and Merry Christmas!" my mom said cheerfully as she walked down the hall.

"Morning and Merry Christmas." Kris and I said simultaneously.

"How ya feeling this morning, Athena? Kris?"

"Good. Really good."

"Ditto. How are you?"

"Fantastic. So fantastic that I want to make everyone breakfast!"

I loved my mom. She has always been a cheerful, optimistic, fun-loving mother.

"You don't have to do that, Mom. Really."

"No. I want to."

"Well, thank you Mom."

"Thank you Mrs. Halloway."

"You're welcome." she said with a smile, heading into the kitchen.

"I love your Mom. I think our mothers would get along well."

"Me too. I hope they're both there in a few months when Kalea's born."

"I'm sure they'll be there."

"Are you sure you're sure?"

"I'm sure that I'm sure." he said, laughing.

"Why you laughin'?"

"You're silly and funny, oh... and adorable."

I blushed. He lifted my chin and kissed me.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"So, what do you think your mom's going to make?"

"Hmm... I don't know. I'm trying to think of what's in our fridge. It'll be good no matter what. You've had some of the delicious noms she has made."

"Did you just say noms?"

"Yeah. Got a problem with it?"

"Nope." he said, shaking his head.

That earned him a kiss. Twenty minutes later as I was falling asleep against Kris while the Christmas Story was playing, I heard my mom say something.

"Breakfast is ready!"

"Yay!" I said, getting up off the couch.

"Please sit. I'll bring in the food."

"Mom..."

"No protesting. I'm doing this."

I nodded.

She brought in homemade broccoli, ham and cheese omelets along with homemade cinnamon roll and orange juice. I hugged her as soon as she sat down.

"I love you, you know that?"

"I do. I love you, too." she said, laughing.

Breakfast was absolutely delightful.

"Time for presents?" I asked, looking at both of them after we cleaned up.

"Time for presents." my mom said, nodding.

I cheered again. We sat by our tree and reached for our gifts.

"Who wants to go first?" I asked, not wanting to be selfish.

"If you want to go first, you can." my mom said knowing I wanted to go first.

"You sure?"

"Absolutely."

The first thing I opened was from my mom; it was a collection of my mom recipes.

"You are awesome. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I really wanted to give them to you and I hope you pass them onto Kalea."

I smiled.

"Of course I'm gonna pass them onto her. They're just too good."

She laughed.

"You're right. They are."

I had trouble finding gifts for my mom and Kris, but I did... at the very last minute. They were stupid gifts, but they loved them. I had gotten my mom a memory book and Kris, a few more dress shirts. When it came to me again, it was Kris' turn.

"I really think you're gonna like this." he said, handing it to me.

"I'm sure I will." I said unwrapping the rectangular present.

I was speechless when I saw what it was. It was a new memory book.... of my own.

"Athena?" he asked.

I just hugged him as tight as I could.

"I love you." I cried into his shoulder.

"I love you, too." he said running a hand up and down my back.

"Thank you. This has to be the best gift I've ever received."

"You're welcome. I had a hard time finding you a gift, but... when I saw this, I had to buy it for you."

"You're too sweet." I said, kissing his cheek.

He blushed.

I moved so that I was facing my mom; she was setting down her camera.

"Did you just take a picture of us having a moment?

"You'll appreciate it later. Trust me."

"Ok. I trust you."

By the time four thirty came around, I got up off the couch and away from our Christmas movie marathon to the kitchen to make dinner.

"Where are you going?" my mom asked.

"I'm going to make dinner." I said, giving her a look.

"No. You're not."

"Mom... Kris, tell her I perfectly capable of cooking dinner for all three of us."

"You are, but I'm agreeing with your mom here."

I gave him a look and growled.

"Fine." I said, walking back to the couch.

Kris kissed my cheek and let me lay my head on his shoulder.

"You need to calm down a bit. Not get so mad or irritated. Ok? I hate you like this and you can't be like this."

I nodded.

"I'll try."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I'm sorry." I said as my mom walked back into the room.

"For what?"

"For being such a bitch."

"It's ok, honey. Really."

"It's not. I know I'm moody, but sometimes, I should just calm down."

"Ok." she said, nodding.

I smiled and relaxed until Kalea kicked.

"Ow! Are you trying to tell me to calm down too? 'Cause it's working." I said, laughing.

Everyone laughed before Kris lowered himself and kissed my stomach.

"I love you."

I teared up a little again. It'll never cease for me to tear up. After an amazing dinner cooked by over-bearing mother and a night of movies, I fell asleep on the couch. I felt Kris pick me up and carry me into the bedroom.

"Kris?"

"Yes, sleeping beauty?"

"What time's it?"

"11."

"Ugh..."

He laughed.

"Why you laughin' at me?"

"I love you."

"You are weird."

"Thank you."

"So, what did ya think of today?" I asked as we changed.

"It was wonderful. You know, I was surprised you got your mom a memory book."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I love it too. So, what did you think?"

"Perfect. Sure. I got emotional a few times, but other than that, it was the best Christmas I've had since... well... before my dad died; boy, that is so long ago. I wish he was here." I said shaking my head, trying to keep a smile on my face.

I decided to sit down, even though I wasn't finished changing; I just had taken my shirt off. Kris immediately sat down beside me.

"I'm sure he's been here all day." he said, kissing the top of my head.

"Yeah. I'm sure too."

Notes

Chapter title courtesy of It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year aka one of the most timeless Christmas classics.

Oh, and here's the translation from the previous chapter:
Mon amour, vous pouvez le faire. Je sais que vous le pouvez. Vous pouvez faire quelque chose. Vous avez fait les choses plus difficiles que cela.: My love, you can do this. I know you can. You can do anything. You've done things more difficult than this.